WASHINGTON (CNN) - Republican strategist Mary Matalin has signed on to serve as a CNN political contributor, the network announced Thursday.

The former Crossfire co-host will appear on programs across the network, including Anderson Cooper 360°, State of the Union with John King, and The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.

In addition to her appearances on other CNN programs, Matalin will appear twice monthly alongside her husband, Democratic strategist and fellow CNN political contributor James Carville, on State of the Union with John King. Their first joint appearance will be Sunday, April 26 for a special "First 100 Days Edition" of State of the Union.

"As one of the best-known and best-connected strategists in the country, Mary will join our line up of top Republican analysts including Bill Bennett, Alex Castellanos, and Ed Rollins," said Sam Feist, CNN political director and vice president of Washington programming. "We are thrilled that CNN viewers will be able to tap into Mary's vast political experience advising candidates and presidents from both inside and outside of the White House."

Matalin, a veteran political commentator, served as a senior White House advisor to both President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. She was a key strategist in President George H.W. Bush's 1988 campaign, and was appointed chief of staff for the Republican National Committee after his successful bid. She was also a key strategist in the 1992, 2000 and 2004 Republican presidential campaigns.

This is disgraceful. Matalin is a Cheney hatchet man, co-author of the Iraq war, and a political operative on the order of Karl Rove. Shame on you, CNN.

April 23, 2009 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |

Gracie, MD

Oh lordy.... here comes another "John King" clone. I'm sorry, but I find John Kings commentaries very boring and dated. He's not engaging with his guests and he allows his guest to "control" the interviews so they always end up one-sided. VERY BORING. I stop watching CNN all together, they just got to be so predictable in their reporting. They use to challenge their viewers, but lately they've been very bias and soft on who they "engage' on their show.

I'm sure John Bennett will welcome the help, he's been pounded on so bad that he's hardly on the show now. THANK GOD

April 23, 2009 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |

Geoffrey Pahl

Just what we nedd. Another hard core right wing hatchet-mouth. What's wrong with you guys? We'd be a lot better off with far less of her and her husband's highly partisan ilk.

April 23, 2009 04:06 pm at 4:06 pm |

Enlightened Voter

Another republican who spits out the same old failed rhetoric.

April 23, 2009 04:06 pm at 4:06 pm |

Mary Clark - Spokane WA

She's extremely bright & articulate! And one of my favorite Republicans. As a committed Democrat and strong Obama supporter, I don't always agree with her but definitely respect her. And being married to James Carville is great too:)

April 23, 2009 04:09 pm at 4:09 pm |

MK

Guess I will be watching more of msnbc.

April 23, 2009 04:11 pm at 4:11 pm |

Simpliticus

This gives Matalin some credibility she would have otherwise have lost due to her being on the wrong side of politics. However, she is smart enough to stay away from FOX and that sinking ship! Perhaps her point of view might be helpful, who knows!

April 23, 2009 04:12 pm at 4:12 pm |

Patman

Hey CNN, are you trying to compete with FAUX News or are you still bitter and upset that Hillary won the election?

April 23, 2009 04:12 pm at 4:12 pm |

Patman

Hey CNN, are you trying to compete with FAUX News to see which network can bash Obama the most or are you still upset that Hillary lost to him?

April 23, 2009 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |

flybyshoeing

Yuk!

April 23, 2009 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |

Marge

If you people are hard up for commentators, I'm available and I think my opinion would be much more in line with what this country thinks than Ms. Republican a member of the party of NO NO NO NO NO NO.

April 23, 2009 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |

Faux

Omg CNN talk about a witch hunt looks as if you located exactly what you were searching for ? Is Russ/Shawn next?

April 23, 2009 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |

Cynthia in Michigan

Yet another reason to watch MSNBC instead.

April 23, 2009 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |

Soccer Nana

Dang! Are she and her husband both aliens?

April 23, 2009 04:19 pm at 4:19 pm |

Leo

More right wing crap from CNN

April 23, 2009 04:19 pm at 4:19 pm |

ch

Oh please say it isn't so – who wants to hear her whiny, annoying and inaccurate defense of all things republican?

The woman actually thinks the Bush administration was a success and that Cheney should be treated as if he is a real human being.

Ugh – between the triple whack job whammy of Matthews, Olbermann and Maddow on MSNBC, and the right wing clowns Beck, Hannity, etc. on FOX, CNN was the last safe station to watch – as long as you switched stations once the blubbering Roland Martin came on.

I guess it’s back to PBS where I will be safe from these fools!

April 23, 2009 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |

Scott the Independent

I knew CNN was moving far right – this women has made just as many stupid coments as that other bimbo – Michelle Bachman. Well time to move on there won't be much content on CNN but lots of bias and very much bull.

April 23, 2009 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |

Amy from Seattle

Oh goodie. Another fair and balanced political commentator on the FOX / CNN roster. The best political team Wolf Blitzer? Mary Matalin is an idealogue, a motor mouth mouth-piece of the far right. I did not know that altered lies subbed for news, but CNN has a long history of obfuscating the truth. Remember the run up to the Iraq war and the hanging of Saddam Hussein?

April 23, 2009 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |

carlo

The last thing CNN needs is another Right Winger. That's why your ratings are dropping. Fox has cornered the market on the wingnuttery division of America.

April 23, 2009 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |

Scientific

This is a step back for CNN. Plain and simple.

I have no problem with an intelligent, measured perspective from either flank. However, Matalin is a far-right nut that worked gladly for the worst President in modern American history, and you're doing yourselves a disservice by putting her on your air.

April 23, 2009 06:06 pm at 6:06 pm |

hal

Good job- you're finally being "fair and balance"- not so far right as Fox- but not as far left as MSNBC. Keep up the good work!

April 23, 2009 06:13 pm at 6:13 pm |

Sherrie S. Cutler AIA /Boston

While the GOP rages about religious rights, I would like to demand the rights of those who still believe in Separation of Church and State, including my old time Republican parents. We take extreme offense at a CNN Political Commentator wearing a HUGE religious cross while making political commentary!! Is this supposed to give her some supreme credibility over others. This is beyond inappropriate.

February 17, 2012 11:22 pm at 11:22 pm |

ana

watching mary maitlin on wed. morning spouting such vicious things really makes me wonder at the decision on CNN people to name her as apoliticalmadviser. Thw woman is truly nasty.CNN is better than this . Send her to Fox News.